Cellular and Metabolic

Apoptosis is programmed and tidy; necrosis is accidental and inflammatory

A memory aid for distinguishing the two forms of cell death.

Adenosine triphosphate

A high-energy molecule used as a cellular energy currency.

Glycolysis, the Krebs cycle and oxidative phosphorylation

A memory aid for the stages of cellular energy production.

Energy expenditure at rest, mainly determined by lean body mass

A memory aid for basal metabolic rate and what alters it.

Simple and facilitated diffusion, primary and secondary active transport, and vesicular transport

A memory aid for the ways substances cross cell membranes.

Ion channel, G protein coupled, enzyme linked and intracellular receptors

A memory aid for the main types of cell surface receptor.

Chylomicrons carry dietary fat, VLDL endogenous fat, LDL delivers cholesterol, HDL returns it

A memory aid for the lipoprotein classes and their roles.

Inducers speed metabolism and reduce effect; inhibitors slow it and increase effect

A mnemonic for the common enzyme inducers and inhibitors.

Km reflects affinity and Vmax reflects capacity

A memory aid for Michaelis-Menten kinetics and enzyme inhibition.

Carnitine shuttles long chain fatty acids into mitochondria for beta oxidation

A memory aid for beta oxidation and its requirements.

Insulin dominates the fed state; glucagon and catecholamines dominate fasting

A memory aid for the metabolic shifts between feeding and fasting.

Reactive oxygen species damage lipids, proteins and DNA unless neutralised

A memory aid for oxidative stress and its defences.

Ten steps converting glucose to two pyruvate, with a net gain of two ATP

A memory aid for the key steps and regulation of glycolysis.

Made in the liver from acetyl-CoA, used by brain, heart and muscle

A memory aid for ketone production and use.

Acetyl-CoA is oxidised, generating NADH, FADH2 and GTP

A memory aid for the yield and role of the citric acid cycle.

Electrons pass down the chain, pumping protons that drive ATP synthase

A memory aid for the electron transport chain and chemiosmosis.

ADME: Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion

A mnemonic for the stages of drug handling.

Ammonia from deamination is converted to urea in the liver

A memory aid for nitrogen disposal.

The hypothalamus compares core temperature with a set point and drives heat loss or gain

A memory aid for the control of body temperature.

Zinc, copper, iodine, selenium and chromium, each with a characteristic syndrome

A memory aid for the essential trace elements and their deficiency states.

Fat-soluble ADEK and the water-soluble B vitamins and C

A memory aid for the classic vitamin deficiency syndromes.